The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-12-22

That harmony in the Republican
party which betekens strength and
assured victory, does not exist In re-
gard to tariff reform, rAust be painful |
ly apparent to the satraps of monopO-
ly whose influence is felt in suborning
the public press in their interest. The
following frem the Chicago Tribune,
is in marked contrast with the posi-
ton of the Cleveland Leader-former-
ly under editorial control Of Mr.. Me-
dillon this question:
Mr.. Blaine, as might have been ex'
pected, has presented high tariff pro-
lection, from partisan point of view,
as AN opposition issue to the Presl-
DENTS views on tariff reduction. We
have long and apparently very pleas
ant winter before US In which to dls-
ctass tlais question, and ii is question
which must be settled upon ILs merits
aud not upon political considerations.
so far, therefore, as Mr., Blaine seeks
to make it u party issue he will fail.
Ii ls suffisienI explanation of Mr..
Biaine's interview that he is Penn-
syIvanian. he was brought up in an
atmosphere of ultra protection. He
has sat at the feet OF the high tariff
Gamaliels of that State and Imblbed
their doctrines. Like all Pennsylva-
mans. n, puDllcans or Democrats, he
believes IA enormous duties on inn
ports for the purpose of cOddling the
mill bosses and protecting the go called
Infant industries which came of
age long ago and ought to be able to
90 alone. Every PennsylVanian be-
neves that the protective system pro-
motes his in eresTs. and that in pro-
noting his interests 1t enhances the
general good of the public.
1t ls almost needless to say that Mr..
Blaine, as we'll a. otner Pennsylvania
Republicans, in taking this position
makes no account of the precedents OF
1857. 1882, 1888, or of the platform OF
1884, which explicitly declares The
| Republican party pledges itself to cor
| rect the irregularities of the ta4if and
to reduce the surplus" They even
fought the small reductions of 1853
The Blaine interview will have TO
| stand upon its merits, and 1t Will De
indorseu or condemned in accordance
| with the vsins of the arguments set
forth, and the public Judgment will
not be influenced by the distinguished
name behind them.
1t is the weakest ground Mr.. Blaine
nas ever yet occupied, and no national
party can expect to go into Pres1den'
tial campaign ON that issue, no matter
who may be its lsadsr, ana WIN. II
Is in position of direct hostility ta
the report of the tariff commission
and to the Republican platform ol
1882 Upon this question, therefore
we beg leave to differ from Mr.. Blaine
| as he differs from US, freely acknow
Lodging his right to his own belief
AS q Republican we elalM the same
; right as such, and are free to state OH
belief that in leading the cohorts o
the coddled State of Pennsylvania
with his lieutenaats, Randall, Kelley
cameron and Mcpherson, he will hn'
7 that Penpsylvanja is but one State
, and that there 10 Q lsrge army outsid
r its borders who do not proEGas l9 9
levied upon any longer for its beneRt
The surplus question mus
be settled in some way, and In dil
ferent way from what it has b. en- sci
tied. IL cannot he settled in accoi
# dance with the Blaine ides.
e The New York Times, acknowleda
r ly able and conservative Ia its discu:
r sion of questions vital to the interest
}. of the country, pays Mr.. Blaine, wit
his 30 called protection rags, the TO
. lowing pungent estimate. as to hi
/. position OH the tariff:
, This, then ,is the SUM of Mr.. Blaine
policy, and as he is the leader of til
/ Republican party at pFesept. it mui
}, be taken as the policy of the hep4bi
leans until they repudiate it. 1t V'ou.
be well for them to hasten TO do SO. !
+ is not a policy they can go before tn
# people with. There is too much con
mon sense and too much eNeryda!
old fashioned honesty in the Unite
s States yet for the voters u be lrappe
o by SO reckless, so shallow. and so dal
gerous q scheme as this. They EMO
that they are enormously overtaxe'
they know that The surplus taxes al
!. constantly increasing peril 10 the
:. business and = steadily heavier drai
II on their resources They will not TO
q low the leader who would tax thel
e only to squander. and who woul
throw their money ouL OF the Freasui
. windows rather than lift the most oI
Q erous of the tariff duties on the mat
: riais Of American industry.